Noad Talks the Talk

Still a week before he is due to officially take up the post, new Bulldogs National Rugby League (NRL) club boss Malcolm Noad confronted his players to discuss the deepening crisis confronting the club.

Gang rape allegations and now a drugs scandal today forced Mr Noad to take his tough talk directly to the high profile players who have dominated newspaper front pages recently.

Mr Noad, who replaces former chief executive Steve Mortimer, initiated talks with NSW Deputy Police Commissioner Dave Madden over the latest scandal to hit the club - allegations one player used illicit drugs.

The information is believed to have been uncovered by detectives attached to Strike Force McGuigon, who have warrants to tap phones as part of their investigations into gang rape allegations.

Six of the club's players were last month accused of raping a 20-year-old woman at a Coffs Harbour resort.

Despite initial allegations the player had been caught arranging a drug deal, Mr Madden today told Mr Noad there was no indication from the conversation the player was dealing.

"I was informed by Deputy Commissioner Madden that there was no indication that any player was dealing in drugs and that the alleged drug referred to ... was a recreational one," Mr Noad said.

"Because the police had advised me that they consider this alleged offence to be of a low level nature, we do not anticipate that the club will be informed of the outcome of any investigation for at least three weeks."

Mr Madden earlier said the investigation into "the possible use of recreational drugs by one player" was continuing.

Police would not reveal the player's identity but had referred the matter to local police for investigation.

However, any police investigation into one of the NRL's top players was cause for concern, Mr Noad said.

"I don't think there is any such thing as a minor offence, this is incredibly disappointing for the club ... my view is very well known that this club won't tolerate drugs," he said.

"I will take the necessary action at the time."

Mr Noad said it was time players took responsibility for their actions.

"I did talk to the players about their 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week responsibility that we have to do the right thing," he said.

"I put everyone on notice that we are under scrutiny like no other team ever before and they have to respond accordingly."

"And I feel they will give me that commitment."

Mr Madden earlier said the meeting with Mr Noad was positive and he looked forward to working closely with the CEO and club officials.

Mr Noad also said he would review the workplace agreement, which includes in-house drug testing.

In an unrelated incident, high profile international player Willie Mason was recently named as the player fined $25,000 last season for testing positive to cocaine as part of in-house testing.

Mason has denied the allegation.

Mr Noad said that when he officially takes over the helm of the club next Tuesday he would carefully examine the drug testing policy.

"The club is trying to do the right thing ... I'm not saying there is anything wrong with it, I am reviewing it," he said.